>>>> Now Janice, here you are saying this a little too soon. Icelandics, in general, tend to be amazingly level-headed even in their first months under the saddle. I think one of the reasons why that is so may be that we wait until they are at least 4 1/2 years old before we start them. And even then, see horses act even more mature half a year later in the spring when they are five years old. I have started a bunch of youngsters and never have had oe try to buck or "act like a maniac". But I also think that Icelandics as a breed (and I am sure there are exceptions) are just more level-headed want to cooperate.
Interesting isn't it... that Anneliese, who has been breeding Icelandic's since the early 1980's and has had literally dozens of foals - maybe pushing 100? - hasn't had a bucking problem with any of them. My experience isn't nearly as vast as hers, but I don't see a bucking problem either - anything but, in fact. So, which is it? Are American-born Icelandic horses simply easier to train? I don't believe that the basic DNA is seriously affected by the plane ride from Iceland to American, so I don't think it's a DNA issue. Why would horses in Iceland still need to be culled for craziness, but not in the USA. Do you THINK it might be because of the different handling and socialization that is accepted in this country, among enlightened breeders? I think the difference is mainly handling, socialization, and expectations. My guess is that Anneliese hasn't had a bucking problem with ANY of her Icelandics, domestic or imported, but maybe I'm wrong. Karen Thomas, NC -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.432 / Virus Database: 268.17.6/646 - Release Date: 1/23/2007 3:36 AM "The greatest enemy of the truth very often is not the lie- deliberate, contrived and dishonest -- but the myth -- persistent, persuasive and unrealistic." "All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." ~ Arthur Schopenhauer [] The video every Icelandic Horse owner should have: http://IceHorses.net/video.html [] Lee Ziegler http://leeziegler.com [] Liz Graves http://lizgraves.com [] Lee's Book Easy Gaited Horses http://tinyurl.com/7vyjo [] IceHorses Map http://www.frappr.com/IceHorses [] IceHorses ToolBar http://iceryder.ourtoolbar.com/ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IceHorses/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IceHorses/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
